University of Notre Dame inside linebacker Manti Te'o, the Rotary Lombardi Award winner, is escorted by Ali Nugent, Miss Texas USA, of Dallas as he carries the Lombardi award to interview room after the 43rd

University of Notre Dame inside linebacker Manti Te'o, left, University of Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones, University of Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, and University of South Carolina

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o acknowledges the applause of fans as he leaves his final home game late in the fourth of an NCAA college football against Wake Forest game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Notre Dame defeated Wake Forest 38-0. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o acknowledges the applause of fans as he leaves his final home game late in the fourth of an NCAA college football against Wake Forest game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov.

When Marie Lombardi granted permission to the Rotary Club of Houston to use the Lombardi name for its award, she did so with the stipulation that all net proceeds from the award benefit the American Cancer Society.

Marie and husband Vince, for who the award is named, would find it fitting to know the 2012 Rotary Lombardi Award went to a football player who lost a loved one to cancer during the season.

Also a Heisman Trophy finalist, Te'o has led Notre Dame to an undefeated regular season and a berth in the BCS Title game against Alabama on Jan. 7. Te'o has had to deal with more than the rigors of road games against Oklahoma and Southern California and the spotlight of being a highly ranked team.

On Sept. 11 Te'o's grandmother died. His girlfriend died the same day of leukemia. A major part of the Rotary Lombardi Award program is the four finalists visiting young cancer patients at Houston hospitals.

"They're our inspiration," Te'o said. "They show determination, heart and strength. I go through a football game and try to fight for victory. They're fighting for their lives. It puts life in perspective and where it should be.

"It's special for what it represents and what it draws attention to. My family has been affected by cancer, as well as many families around the world. The more attention and awareness we can bring to it the closer we can get to a cure."

Notre Dame viewed it as a blessing when Te'o came back to school for his senior year. He was an All-America second-team selection by five major publications as a junior. He also was a finalist for the Butkus Award and the Lott Trophy.

The Fighting Irish's season picked up steam early with victories over Michigan State and Michigan. Notre Dame followed that with victories over highly ranked teams Stanford and Oklahoma.

The Irish did it all with the nation's best scoring defense. Te'o was the biggest reason for that. He had 103 tackles, four pass break-ups, 11 passes defended, two fumble recoveries and seven interceptions. His seven interceptions ranked second in the NCAA.

Te'o, who already has won the Butkus and Nagurski awards this year, said he viewed his awards as a team accomplishment. Without his teammates, he said, he would not have been able to make the plays he did.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said Te'o's biggest contribution to the team has been that he has impacted all of his teammates.

"You can't do it yourself," Kelly said. "You have to have players around you who have the same will and drive. When they see him overcome adversity early in the year then it's easy for guys to fight through any injury or tough day."